01/10/2012

3M Debuts “Smart Pen” for Touchscreen Devices

The pen, which is available for $18.99 through Amazon.com, features a detachable lid that attaches to the speaker jack of a variety of portable devices, including Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

In an attempt to capitalize on the growing popularity of tablets and touchscreen smartphones, 3M Touch Systems, Inc., has launched a “Smart Pen” input device that can be used with them.

3M said Tuesday that the 300 Series Smart Pen works with various devices, including Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It’s available in the U.S. market through Amazon.com for $18.99.

According to 3M, the Smart Pen features a design that fits almost any hand. It’s available in black and gray, and it has a detachable lid that attaches to the speaker jack of a portable device. 3M claims that the pen’s “anti-stiction” properties let it glide smoothly across surfaces with greater precision than a finger and reduces fingerprints on the screen.

“3M Touch Systems’ expertise in touchscreen technology gives us the knowledge and ability to create relevant accessories that further maximize the value of this technology,” Chris Tsourides, global sales manager of 3M Touch Systems, said in a statement. “The 3M Smart Pen is one of the most accurate and high-quality capacitive touch pens on the market and we are excited to see how users will enable new and unique ways to use this technology on their touchscreen devices.”

3M Touch Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maplewood-based 3M Company. In addition to announcing the launch of the Smart Pen, it also said Tuesday that it launched two high-performance, multi-touch monitors at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week.

At CES, the largest consumer technology trade show in the world, 3M is also debuting two new mobile projectors and a flat, foldable HDMI cable for the consumer market.

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